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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what character may many of Montaigne's writings may be considered similar to?
(a) Anti-Semitic.
(b) Stoic.
(c) Platonic.
(d) Optimistic.

2. In what century did Sei Shonagon live?
(a) 10th century.
(b) 6th century.
(c) 18th century.
(d) 14th century.

3. What art form is Seneca considered the founder of?
(a) The novel.
(b) The portrait painting.
(c) The essay.
(d) The play.

4. Who wrote "Nicolini and the Lions?"
(a) Michel de Montaigne.
(b) Charles Lamb.
(c) Joseph Addison.
(d) Seneca.

5. What is the implicit message of "An Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification?"
(a) Humans live in a constant state of denial.
(b) Even the greatest vices can be rationalized by the diseased mind.
(c) Women, like children, should be seen and not heard.
(d) A woman should be allowed to express her opinion.

6. Which place did Charles Lamb occupy amongst his siblings?
(a) He was the eldest.
(b) He was the middle child.
(c) He was an only child.
(d) He was the youngest.

7. What is ironic about the Montaigne essay title, "Of a Monstrous Child?"?
(a) Montaigne is in fact arguing that nothing is "monstrous" by nature.
(b) The "monster" is a man who only behaves like a child.
(c) Montaigne is obliquely refer to gluttony, stating that it is born "of a monstrous child."
(d) The child talked about is in fact saintly and kind.

8. Why prompted Montaigne to retire from his career to pursue writing?
(a) The death of his best friend.
(b) His own bankruptcy.
(c) The birth of his first child.
(d) The death of his wife.

9. From his second book on, what subject did Montaigne promise to pursue?
(a) His wife.
(b) Death.
(c) Himself.
(d) Nature.

10. What place does Seneca describe in "Scipio's Villa?"
(a) The temple.
(b) The arena.
(c) The farm.
(d) The palace.

11. In "Of Books," why does Montaigne quote other writers?
(a) To further expand upon points he is making.
(b) To include love poetry for his most important reader, his wife.
(c) To show how inferior other authors' works are to his own.
(d) To provide fanciful stories that break up the monotony of the personal essay.

12. What colorful phrase does Seneca provide as another way to describe asthma?
(a) Sucking wind.
(b) Hellish hiccups.
(c) Speechless sweeps.
(d) Rehearsing death.

13. What is the disposition of the eunuch Montaigne describes in "Of a Monstrous Child?"
(a) Cautious, and paranoid.
(b) Happy and free.
(c) Miserable and suicidal.
(d) Thoughtful, and wise.

14. What does a woman's level of attachment to a man depend upon, according to Sei Shonagon?
(a) The way the man takes his leave of the woman.
(b) The quality of gifts the man gives the woman.
(c) The elegance with which a man talks to the woman.
(d) The way a man smells.

15. What physical condition does Seneca discuss in a titular essay?
(a) Asthma.
(b) Blindness.
(c) Rickets.
(d) Leprosy.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Charles Lamb sign many of his essays?

2. Who wrote "On the Pleasure of Hating"?

3. What does "Pleasure Boat Studio" refer to?

4. Ou-Yank Hsiu is considered one of eight what?

5. According to Kenko, facing death should be like what?

(see the answer keys)

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